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S.N.D.NORTH. 



C H A P T J^: K XIII. 
HISTORICAL SOCIETIES IN THE UNITED STATES. 



IIEXRY A. HOMES, LL.]>. 

'J 
Librarian New York State Library. 



HISTORY AND CONDITION. 

Eakly Histoky — Number and importance Oujects — Character and extent of 
COLLECTIONS — Impetus given to histi hu:xl. research and publications — 
State SOCIETIES — Special and local cieties — Membership — Meetings — 
Funds, income, and expenditures — Hi! irical publications — Genealogical, 

' FAMILY, and town HISTORIES — PLANS f I; THE FUTURE — NATIONAL HISTORICAL 

convention. 

*In the attempt to collect the most recent statistics which should ex- 
hibit the iutellectnal condition of the United States, it was impossible 
to overlook so important an illnstration of the subject as would be of- 
fered by a view of its historical societies. From the facts shown in the 
statistical tables, and from those which we have jjathered from other 
sources, it is evident that diligent workers in preserving the history of 
the nation have been numerous, and that whatever neglect there has 
been in the pursuit of science or literature, we cannot be said to have 
equally neglected our own history. 

During the past one hundred years of our national life, the historical 
spirit could not fail to be awakened; the degree of its development, as 
compared with the colonial period, has depended in no small measure 
upon the freedom of the people under our republican institutions, 
"'^here there are no political or social restraints upon the opportunities 
for co-operation, the historical spirit will effectively develop itself at an- 
early stage in the life of the commonwealth. 

In proof of this, we find that since the organization of the govern- 
ment in 1789 under the Constitution, there have been formed more than 
one hundred and sixty historical societies, the greater number of which 
have perpetuated their organizations. The object of these societies has 
been essentially the same, to collect and diffuse the materials of A meri- 
' 'an history. It was declared by the first one of the historical societies, 
J Tganized in 1701, and afterwards called tb' Massachusetts .historical 

1 ^>^ . .:-.--. 



• 2 

Bociety, that its object was " to collect, preserve, and commuuicate ma- 
terials for a complete history of the couutry." No limitation of aims 
was made in behalf of the State, or of New England. Later, in 1804, 
the New York Historical, and, in 1823, the New Hampshire Historical 
Societies were organized, each " for the purpose of discovering, procur- 
ing, and preserving whatever may relate to the natural, civil, literary, 
and ecclesiastical history of the United States, and of this State in par- 
ticular." Societies formed at a later period, in defining their object, 
either give the State precedence of the United States, or omit the 
United States entirely. Thus the Historical Society of Pennsylvania 
declares its single object to be " the elucidation of the civil and literary 
history of the State." We think, therefore, notwithstanding the more 
comprehensive schemes set forth by the earlier societies, that it has 
come to be their object generally, to collect the materials for the history 
of the State, county, or town where the society is situated, and then, as 
circumstances may favor, of the United States and the individual States. 

The principal means employed for accomplishing the object aimed at 
have been the establishment of libraries, the collection of manuscripts, 
the forming of museums of historical memorials and of the natural his- 
tory of the region, and the printing of historical documents. Their pur- 
pose has been to collect and to render accessible to the public the ma- 
terials for history, but not to write history under the sanction of the 
societies. 

The libraries formed by these societies, for the use of their members 
and all other accreditedpersons, are alone a fair evidence of their earnest- 
ness, when we consider that the works collected in them relate chiefly 
to American history. The number of volumes known to be contained 
in tbem amounts, as far as can be gathered from the reports received, to 
more than 482,000, and more than 568,000 pamphlets. The books are 
solely for reference. Additions are continually made, but with no pur- 
pose of building up a large library, unless it should consist of historical 
w^orks. In some towns and cities, however, the library, for purposes of 
convenience, is also made miscellaneous in its character for more general 
uses. 

The zeal of the members in securing and preserving historical manu- 
scrip' IS sufiBciently illustrated by the fact that the Massachusetts His- 
tor ai Society has collected a thousand volumes of such manuscripts ; 
and the New York Historical Society counts 15,000 single manuscripts; 
while the number possessed by all the societies is reported at 88,771, be- 
sides 1,361 bound volumes. These manuscripts relate to every period 
since the founding of the colonies. Paring many years the apartments 
of these two societies, of the American Antiquarian Society at Worcester, 
Mass., and of one or two other societies, were the only places that offered 
for the especial and safe deposit of manuscripts, the State libraries not 
having been generally organized. The States of Maryland and Georgia 
have made the libraries for .'heir State societies places of deposit of vain- 



able State historical records. The younger State societies manifest an 
ardor in this direction, which indicates that they are managed by the sons 
of worthy sires. The character and subjects of the manuscripts collected 
may be inferred from the contents of the publications of the societies, 
of which we shall soon speak. The whole number of manuscripts in 
their libraries exceeds that of those which are to be found in the State 
'ibraries, if we exclude the official State records in tbe latter. 

In addition to books and manuscripts, the societies have formed 
museums, and have sedulously collected in their halls memorials of the 
aborigines, of their arts and customs, relics of the prehistoric races, 
and of the founders and early settlers, Avith portraits of distinguished 
citizens, and cabinets of coins. Some of them have extensive collec- 
cions in natural history. In these respects they resemble, as far as our 
, circumstances will permit, the archaeological societies which exist in so 
many of the counties of Great Britain. 

rht' large number of volumes thus far published b^' our historical 

- (loties is a most substantial proof of the efficient industry of their 

I ombers. The number of printed pages issued by them, chiefly dur- 

, tlie last seventy-five years, is equal to more than three hundred 

; limes of three hundred and fifty pages each. A detailed descrip- 
t iou of their contents here would be impossible. They include town 
and church histories, town and parish records, journals and correspond- 
■iice of the Revolution, private diaries, biographies, genealogies, deeds. 
Is, and family papers of citizens, illustraiions of aboriginal life and 
Jistory, annotated reprints of rare and early books relating to America, 
I nd other similar materials. 

The incidental operations of the societies are to meet during the year 
v'ith more or less frequency for the discussion of subjects of historical 
nterest, to provide for the delivery of an annual i)ublic historical dis- 
30urse, and to secure popular courses of lectures on historical and sci- 
entific subjects, rather than on themes of society and literature. Some 
of the discourses delivered on their anniversary occasions — three at 
least of which have been given by men who have been Presidents of 
the United States — will long remain monuments of patriotic eloquence 
and witnesses to important truths in our history. 

The societies have, moreover, at difterent times in several States, 
been active in calling the attention of State legislatures to measures for 
:he preservation and publication of the early public records of their 
States. These eflbrts have resulted in securing not only the printing of 
,the colonial records in the State archives, but have led some States to 
procure copies of such documents as were to be found in the record 
offices of the states of Europe. In a few years we may expect that all 
such papers, existing either at home or abroad, will have been printed 
for public use. In the meantime other States, or their State societies, 
have obtained and printed calendars of the contents of such documents 
as could be found in England. 



Membership in the societies is generally secured by the vote of a ma- 
jority; sometimes by the payment of an annual tax ; in other societies 
it is restricted by the nef^ativx vote of a small minority. The resident 
members, residing in the town, county, or State, have alone the right to 
vote. Some societies are managed entirely by an executive committee. 
The number of members does not appear to be fixed and limited in more 
than three societies. The Massachusetts society was at first organized 
on this principle, and limited to thirty members, latterly increased to 
one hundred. The American Antiquarian Society', organized within the 
same State a score of years after, adopted the same i^rinciple. The 
Maine Society, a daughter of Massachusetts, organized in 1822, did not 
depart from the mother's example. But whatever maybe the advan- 
tages supposed to inhere in a limited membership, the fact that the 
practice has not been adopted by other societies, is evidence of a decided 
preference for an enlarged membership, not fixed by law. The number 
of members of the several societies ranges from fifty to over one thou- 
snid, the largest membership being usually in the largest cities. The 
aggregate membership of all the societies, according to the latest re- 
turns received, is 27,2 i4. 

The income of most of the societies is derived from ai initiation fee 
of $3, $5, or $10, and an annual tax of from $1 to $5 on each member. 
In many cases the annual dues constitute the sole regular income of a 
society. Life memberships are encouraged. The expenditures of the 
societies are defrayed from these sources, or by extraordinary subscrip- 
tions — special permanent funds created by the gifts of the members 
and their friends, and in a few cases by annual or special grants from 
the State legislature. The Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin State socie- 
ties receive, the first, $2,500, the second, $500, and the last, $7,000 a year 
from the State treasuries, which sum is used for the purchase of books, 
for salaries, and other expenses. The Tennessee and some other societies 
are provided with apartments in the State capitol. The value of the 
lands, edifices, and permanent funds of all the societies approaches 
$2,000,000 ; the amount reported, not including all the societies, is 
61,674,973.88. It would not be reasonable to name a lower sum than 
another million of dollars to represent the value of their libraries, man- 
uscripts, and museums ; although it is next to impossible to make a 
pecuniary estimate of the amount. 

The meetings of the societies are either annual, semi-annual, quarterly , 
monthly, or twice a mouth during six to niue months of the year. 

Most of the societies whose names are given in our list may be classed 
as either State or local societies. State societies have been formed in 
twenty-two of the thirty-seven States, although one or two of them can 
hardly be said to exist at present. From the prominence which the 
State societies give to the history of the State in their plans, they are 
properly entitled to bear the name of the State which they represent. 



They generally have the seat of their operations at t'lecapital of the Stato 
or iu the largest city. 

The local societies, Darned after a town, county, or district, limit 
themselves to the history of the regioa indicated by their name, and 
do not generally attempt to embrace the larger purposes of the State 
societies. Very few of them have combined with their plans for collect- 
ing their own civil history, the study of other branches of history, or 
science. They are not afliliated in any way with State societies, except 
in Michigan, where incorporated local societies are required to report 
annually to the State society, and to send to it copies of papers which 
have been read before them. They frequently have libraries and mu- 
seums for the preservation of historical relics. Both classes of societies 
occasionally embrace in their plans other aims than American history-. 
The New York and Maryland societies have galleries of paintings, and 
the former a collection of Egyptian antiquities. The Long Island So- 
ciety has a collection of paintings. The Georgia Society has a general 
library and reading room. 

- There are at least nine historical associations engaged in the work 
of preserving the history of as man^^ of the ecclesiastical denomina- 
tions of the country, and most of them have formed libraries for the 
purpose.^ 

During the last twenty-five years, and more especially daring the 
last ten years, there has arisen a spontaneous and widely spread en- 
thusiasm to form associations of pioneers and old residents for the 
purpose of cherishing the memory of the first settlers and preserving 
incidents connected with the early settlement of different counties and 
towns. These continue for a series of years to have annual addresses, 
or to publish occasional historical papers of great interest for the 
locality. The earliest association of this nature was the Old Colony 
Club, founded at Plymouth, Mass., in 1769, by which was inaugurated 
the custom of celebrating Forefathers' Day by an annual discourse. 
As adjuncts to the societies peculiarly historical should be counted the 
ethnological, numismatic, philological, geographical, and statistical 
societies. They are all contributors, in a greater or less degree, to the 
civil and political history of the country, or to the history of the native 
races. The several printing clubs, engaged in printing small editions 
of rare historical books, freshly annotated, or of unpublished manu- 
scripts, have performed an important service. Their enterprises have 

'Au effort was made to collect the statistics of the diocesan libraries of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church, and from a few registrars returns were received showing 
that in nine such collections there are 730 volumes, 14,924 pamphlets, and 259 manu- 
scripts, the books and pamphlets mainly consisting of diocesan journals, proceedings 
of conventions, and other periodical and fugitive literature relating to the church. No 
description of the manuscripts was given. These collections will, in time, become vain- 
able to the student of ecclesiastical history. 

Rev. William Stevens Perry, D. I)., of Geneva, N. Y., is custodian of the Church 
Archives, which " consist of 500 volumes of most valuable manuscripts." — Editors. 



6 

not beeu conducted with a view to pecuniary advantage. The numer- 
ous New England societies at the West and South, awaken an interest 
in historical studies, by the frequent annual discourses which are deliv- 
ered under their auspices, in which the virtues and errors of the fore- 
fathers are discussed for the benefit of the present generation. 

VALUABLE RESULTS. 

From the statements we have made regarding the character and con- 
dition of the historical societies, no one would hesitate to conclude that 
they have already accomplished a great work or to infer, from the rec- 
ords of their operations during three-score years and more, that results 
of still greater importance will follow. The value of their labors is 
not likely to be overestimated ; and a perusal of the details of the his 
tory of many of the societies can alone give an idea of the patient devo- 
tedness and affection for their object of many members during a long- 
series of years. They have steadily pursued their patriotic impulses 
as though they were yielding obedience to the behest of the most exalted 
virtue. It has beeu by the exhibition of this disinterested attachment 
to their cause, which it is a pleasure to contemplate, that they have 
obtained so many valuable contributions from their own members, from 
the public, and the State. 

The libraries and museums of the societies, besides increasing in size, 
will, with the lapse of years, have an increasing value for the public. It 
has only been by gradual, slow additions to their funds, that any of 
these societies have been able to secure convenient apartments and a 
curator, so that their collections, the gifts of members and friends, could 
be accessible to more than a very limited number. In the future, with 
the possession of suitable edifices, open under charge of ofiBcers, these insti- 
tutions will be useful to the community in a degree hitherto unknown. 
The libraries will be more complete on their special subjects ; their rare 
manuscripts, increased in number, will be found in the places where 
they are most needed. The guarantee which their halls will offer for 
the safety and care of manuscripts and historical relics will be appreci- 
ated, and citizens will be glad to deposit in their archives the treasures 
which they possess and thus save them from destruction. How many 
valuable documents have already been lost from the absence of such soci- 
eties ! How many have already been saved by their existence ? Memo- 
rials of founders, pilgrims, and settlers, as well as of ancient customs, are 
destined to be regarded with a growing interest ; and when the period 
shall Imve come that not an uncivilized Indian remains, every material 
vestige of the race will be gazed at with admiration. Already the 
exhumed arrow-heads, hatchets, and sculptured stones, which had beeu 
quietly noticed for scores of years as memorials of existing races oi 
Indians, have acquired a fresh value since we have been led to attempt 
to discriminate which of them may have been wrought thousands of 
years since by races not yet identified. 



While the "discovery and^preservation " of maDuscripts aud memori- 
als is a prime motive for the existence of these societies, their efforts in 
that direction do not present themselves so prominently to the appreci- 
ation of the public as do those historical volumes by which they "com- 
municate and diffuse" a knowledge of the documents which they have 
collected. In the three hundred volumes published by them, to which 
we have already referred, there are to be found copies of many unique 
manuscripts, which were, of course, difficult of access. By the multi- 
plication, through the press, of hundreds of these copies, even if the 
manuscript itself were lost, an easy acquaintance with its contents is 
secured to investigators. JVEany a rare volume also, the purchase of which 
might cost half a year's income to a poor student, when reprinted by a 
society, is put within his^reach in every library. Both the manuscript 
and the rare book have thus the opportunity to carry down the stream 
of tioie the record first made hundreds of years ago. 

A special illustration of the value of these publications is offered in 
the thirty-five volumes published by the Xew England Historic-Genea- 
logical Society. Before its formation in 1845, the whole number 
of American genealogical histories was not more than thirty. They 
now number more than four hundred, and the later histories are incom- 
parably more thorough and complete. There is every reason to suppose 
that the work will be prosecuted till the genealogical story of a great 
portion of the early settlers of New England shall have been written 
and published. In succeeding years it may be found that these facts 
will have a value beyond anything designed in their compilation, by 
enabling the man of science to trace the influences of varied climate 
and education, of the laws of hereditary" influence, and the comparative 
ability of different nations, from a larger number of similar facts than 
was ever before collected. Family history in the past has had for its 
object to trace the pedigree of successful families in a single line of de- 
scent. Few genealogies have attempted to give the affiliations and 
ramifications of all the descendants of a common ancestor for many 
generations. In this respect the pursuit is not a minister to pride, but 
has a tendency to promote a sense of republican equality. It is not 
necessary to have in one's veins "the blood of all the Howards" to se- 
cure an interest in our genealogical relations. 

The influence of the historical societies in securing the preparation 
aud publication of town histories has been remarkable. More than two 
hundred have been published in the last thirty years. The thirty town 
histories of New Hampshire have all been prepared since the formation 
of its society in 1823. All these histories have an exactness and 
thoroughness not to be found in those of early date. The larger por- 
ti'^n of them are written by those who are members of historical socie- 
tie.. . and who are indebted to the collections in their libraries for their 
moijv , important facts, for materials without which it would have been 
impossible to perfect their works. The fact that four of the New 



Euglaud States ^^liave authorized towns to tax tbeuiselves to procure 
the publication of town histories is an evidence of the stimulus which 
has been imparted to the undertaking by these societies. 

The compilation of a town history is not an undertaking that can be 
begun and fiuished in a few months. Consequently, since the enact- 
ment of State laws authorizing towns to incur the expense, although 
the number of histories published by them is already considerable, yet 
the results expected to follow from the power of taxation must neces- 
sarily be developed gradually. Authors of histories need time and ap- 
portunity to collect,'digest, and develop their materials. 

The course pursued by the towns that authorize the publication of 
their town histories is, to take a vote upon the subject at the annual 
town meeting, the call for the meeting having specified that the subject 
will be introduced. A committee of publication is nominated and 
chosen, and this committee selects a gentleman to prepare the history 
under its general direction. An appropriation at that or a subse- 
quent meeting is made to cover the expense. 

A few details of some specific cases are subjoined as illustrations of 
the method pursued. The town of Pittsfield, Mass., for example, in 
full town meeting, on the proposition by a citizen, appointed a committee 
of five to write a history of the town, with authority to select an editor. 
The committee chose Mr. J. E. A. Smith to compose the history and to 
arrange the materials, itself giving general directions and aiding in 
the work. The town made at the same meeting the necessary appro- 
I)riation of money for the expense to be incurred. The first volume, con- 
taining 518 octavo pages, was stereotyped and printed in 1869, and the 
town retains the copyright. The history reaching only to the year 1800, 
a second volume is to follow speedily. The town of Warwick, Mass., chose 
a committee of seven to adopt such measures as they might deem expe- 
dient for the publication of the manuscript of J. Blake's history. The 
call for the annual meeting contained a notification that the question 
of an appropriation for this purpose would be introduced, and at the 
meeting it was voted to publish it, and the same committee was em- 

iThe followiug are the legal provisions for the publication of town histories in 
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Massachusetts : 

Maine. — "Cities aud towns may raise money for the purpose of procuring the writing 
and publication of their histories." — Rev. Stat., 1871, tit. I, sec. 36. 

jVew Hampshire. — "Any town, at a legal meeting called for the purpose, may author- 
ize their selectmen to contract with some person to prepare and publish the early 
history of such town, at the expense of the town, under such restrictions and regula- 
tions as such town shall prescribe." — Laws of 1868. 

Vermont. — " Any town, at their annual March meeting, may authorize their select- 
men to contract with some person to prepare and publish the early history of such 
town, at the expense of the town, under such restrictions aud regulations as such town 
shall prescribe." — Gen. Stat., 2d erf., 1870, tit. IX, sec. 91. 

Massachusetts. — Towns " may, at legal meetings, grant and vote such sums ab they 
may judge necessary for the following purposes: For . . . procuring the writing 
and publishing oQ their town histories." — General Statutes, 1860, chap. 18, ser. 10. 



powered to borrow the mouey necessary. The history of the town of 
iilorthfiekl, Mass., was printed in 1875, by Mr. Mnnsell, of Albany, in 
a vokime of C30 pages, much of it in tine type. The town paid $4 
a cop3' for 320 copies, out of an edition of 500 copies. The authors 
received as their share 125 copies. The inhabitants had the privilege 
of purchasing copies from the town at $1 each. No others can obtaiiti 
the work, either from the town or the publisher, except at an advanced 
price. The history of the towns embraced in the original township of 
Eeading, Mass., prepared by Hon. Lilley Eaton, was published in 1874 
by the authority and at the expense of the town of Wakefield, one of 
the towns included, through the agency of a committee appointed for 
the purpose after his death. The town of Bradford, Vt., employed the 
Ilev. S. McKeen to write and publish the history of the town. The 
town owns the edition, and sells copies of it at a fixed sum, on applica- 
tion being made to any one of the selectmen. The Middlebury Histori- 
cal Society of Vermont embarked in the enterprise of securing histories 
of all the towns of Addison County. As one result of its exertions, 
the town of Shoreham made an appropriation for the completion and 
publication of a history, and appointed the Eev. J. F. Goodhue, a former 
citizen, to compile it, under the superintendence of a committee. He 
came and took up his residence there until he had completed a work 
which he had formerly prepared, and the committee j)ublished it- It 
bears on the title-page, " Published by the town."^ The history of 
Winchester, Conn., by J. Boyd, was published by him, but with pecv.- 
niary aid in the undertaking from the town. The town of Barnstead, 
N. H., having declined to bear the expense of printing a history prepared 
by E. E. Caverly, he was afterward enabled to publish it through aid 
received from individual citizens. 

The prefaces to C. Hudson's two histories of Lexin gton and Marlborougli, 
Mass., as well as the preface to the history of Pittsfleld, prepared by 
the town committees, give ample details of the method of procedure of 
the authorities in these particular cases. As regards the regulations 
for the disposal and distribution, by sale or otherwise, of the copies of 
these histories, the practice varies in different towns. The histories 
themselves, in the prefaces, give very little information on the lioiiit. 

The members of historical societies individually have, besides, pub- 
lished many historical monographs, biographies, and genealogies, as the 
bibliographical records in their archives show. Their labors, also, as 
editors of historical magazines supported by subscription, deserve men- 
tion. Though these periodicals have had but a few years of life, they 
have been convenient depositories for historical studies and the waifs of 
history, and have aided to sustain an interest in the subject. 

' As showing the impulse given to historical research, it may be mentioned that 
since 1858, the year- in which the law was enacted, histories of the following named 
towns in Vermont, besides those above mentioned, have been published : Bennington, 
Cornwall, Danby, Fairhaven, Middlebury, Middletown, Montpelier, Pawlet, Reading, 
Rutland, Salisbury, and Wells.— Editors. 



10 

The historical fervor stimulated by the operations of the societies iu 
the Atlantic States, has been manifested in a remarkable degree in the 
Western States. Several of them have commenced their life as States 
with the organization of a historical society. The Minnesota society 
was created by an act of its first territorial legislature. Such organiza- 
tions are a testimony to the high grade of civilization with which these new 
communities enter the family of States. They constitute the first em- 
bodiment of their men of culture, eager to achieve something for the 
common weal outside of the direct necessities of domestic and civil 
life. These pioneer founders from the Atlantic States saw that they 
had not only to preserve the memory of the French and early settlers, 
but that they were in the presence of the monuments of departed races, 
which, though already abraded by the hand of time, were certain to be 
more rapidly effaced by the hand of man. They felt the need of insur- 
ing protection for them, by co-operative action, that their history might be 
the better investigated. It is especially in those States that the legis- 
latures have encouraged the societies by annual grants of money, free 
apartments, (devolving upon the society the care of the State library,) or, 
as in Michigan, have provided for the care of the collections of the State 
society in the State library. 

While the history of any nation has a positive value to the world, 
that of the United States has a special importance, on account of the 
character of our institutions. It is probable that this history will be 
preserved Mith a completeness unparalleled in the annals of any people. 
It is one of the first attempts ever made to chronicle events contempo- 
raneously with the beginnings of life of the municipality and the State. 
These events are recorded, not merely in relation to matters of govern- 
ment and war, but of education, morals, and religion. The knowledge 
will be perpetuated of the character and acts of the numerous races and 
families from all quarters of the globe who, under novel conditions, 
commenced social and political life in the counties and towns of which 
the totality of the nation consists. These records continued through 
centuries will furnish most, trustworthy facts for statistical tables to 
illustrate the laws affecting these relations. It is to this important work 
that each active historical society is a substantial contributor. 

PLAXS FOE THE FUTURE. 

With this abundant evidence before us of the character and value of 
the work of the historical societies, it is none the less accordant with 
our progressive natures to be inquiring whether by any means they can 
be rendered more effective and useful. As regards the State societies, 
we think the answer to the question may be safely left to their own in- 
telligent action, stimulated by the example of kindred societies anjong 
us. The object which they have in view is broad enough to occupy ' i'tn-. 
permanently. We hopefully predict that before ten years shall la'. 
e!ap«;ed there will be a society of their especial scope jh every State. 



11 

lu regard to the local societies, however, which have beeu formed iu 
so considerable numbers, and which will continue to be formed in a ratio 
surpassing that of any former period, there are good grounds for in- 
quiring whether their specific object might not be attained equally well, 
aud other important advantages gained at the same time, by enlarging 
their aims. Why should they not, instead of limiting their pursuit to 
their own localities, embrace the history of all ages and peoples ? Why 
should the incipient impulse to co-operate in some useful investigation 
be restrained at the beginning to the scenes and events immediately 
at hand ? Were these local societies organized for the pursuit of history 
iu all its branches, civil, political, educational, and religious, as wide as 
the world, we might expect there would be such a variety of interesting- 
themes to discuss, that frequent meetings could successfully be main- 
tained throughout the year. 

Studies in general history, pursued in local societies, would insure for 
those engaged in them the most healthy mental discipline, and educa- 
tion of an ennobling nature. The history of man in all relations is 
an inexhaustible study, ever fresh, and expanding with, civilization. It 
should produce a continual enthusiasm in these societies to be studying 
in conjunction with their local aims, the relations of the past with the 
relations of progress in different nations, to be observing the evidences 
of a divine moral order iu the world, and the laws which affect the 
development of humanity. Our future statesmen, aglow with, aspira- 
tions for a wise and beneficent government, need to be familiar with the 
history of other nations as well as of their own -, to be able to compare 
ancient and modern republics ; and linked as we are with the past, to 
judge what may be the limits to the maxim that history is i)hilo3ophy 
teaching by example. From historical societies ou suck an expanded 
basis, we might hope there would be produced a generation of legisla- 
tors with a scientific faculty to predict consequences ; men who, im- 
pressed with a sense of the difficulties of enacting wise laws, would 
possess the wisdom to confront those difficulties. 

To these observations ou the question of enlarged plans for local so- 
cieties, we venture to subjoin the further inquiry whether most county 
and town societies might not, with incalculable advantage, combine 
with historical research the study of science, art, aud natural history ? 
Every locality already has its military, fire, debating, literary, social 
or charitable society. It is incredible that there should be so few 
simply for the pursuit of knowledge to the acquisition of which all men 
are so naturally impelled and iu which they manifest so deep an inter- 
est. The same motives, which dispose some of the leading minds of a 
place to associate for the sake of preserving its history, must be operat- 
ing in the minds of others, thiui" neighbors, to desire to acquire aud 
communicate knowledge iu other forms. On the part of those inter- 
ested in history it should be regarded as a strong reason for extending 
the scope of their society, the consideration that when confined to a 



• 12 

single subject it will depend for its perinauence on the activity ot two 
or three members. It does not afford a basis sufficient for the active 
co-operation of more than a small portion of the cultivated minds of 
the place ; the topics either soon become exhausted as matters of con- 
tinual research, or the information is meagre and accumulates slowly, 
and the popular interest diminishes. The meetings cease to be attended 
and the society either dies of inanition or languishes while standing 
in the way of a new organization on a more comprehensive plan. 

It may be urged as an objection that some of our societies have com- 
menced with the title of " historical and philosphical," and have not 
been remarkably successful. Others, however, have tried the plan of 
conjoined aims, and congratulate themselves on the result. The Essex 
Institute, of Salem, Mass., was formed in 1848 from the union of a county 
historical and a county natural history society, and organized on a popu- 
lar basis of large membership, having at the present time four hundred 
and eight}' members. With the aid of historical and scientific workers 
it is prosecuting both branches with an efficiency, as shown by its pub- 
lications, which must compel imitation. The Albany Institute, Xew 
York, has been perpetuated with varying fortunes for forty-six years, 
and has four departments of research, physical science and the arts, 
natural history, history, and general literature. It has at no time been 
so promising an organization as at the iiresent, when it has been ex- 
tended to a membership of two hundred and four. A similar successful 
society is the Literary and Philosophical Society of Liverpool, England, 
founded in 1846, which has over two hundred members, and has pub- 
lished twenty-eight volumes of its transactions. The subjects treated of 
in these conform, in fair proportion of literature, history, and science, to 
the name of the society. One motive assigned in its constitution for 
organizing the society, " to modify the local tendency to the pursuit of 
commerce," is capable of receiving a wider application. 

We have purposely alluded to the large membership in these three 
societies, because a late scientific writer, speaking of the frequent fail- 
ures of the learned societies of the United States, declares that they 
have died from "a constant enlargement of the range of membership? 
and consequent lowering of the tone of the society." ^ And yet we draw 
from this same writer the two facts that the membership of the leading 
English societies ranges from four hundred to one thousand or several 
thousanv^ members, and that the annual tax on each member is from 
two to foui' guineas. We should infer from these facts that, by a large mem- 
bership, an abundant income is secured for the purposes of a society, and 
that the original papers of the men of science who are joined with them 
can be published, and the expense of their investigations provided for. 
A large membership secures friends, an audience, an income, and ele- 
vates the purposes and aims of all. Some aid by active efforts, some by 
pecuniary help, and all by the sympathy of a common i^urpose. Mem- 

' North American Review, October, 1874. 



bersbip is uot a reward of merit, acquired lor acbievemeuty in literature 
r or science, but an encouragement and a stimulus both to the less 
\ learned and to the most learned. It ought not to be difficult to cora- 
\ bine the man of research with the intelligent aspirant for knowledge, 
! who educates himself for similar researches by means of thecompanion- 
/ ship. To the man of science or invention it must be desirable that he 
I should have the encouragement of a listening audience, and be brought 
I in contact with men of varied pursuits, outside of his specialty. It 
\ aftbrds him an opportunity at least to utter his words of scientific truth 
> before his fellow-citizens. To make an addition to the sum of human 
f knowledge, or to diffuse and inspire a love of it, may be of equal impor- 
i" tauce to humanity. 

In suggesting this combination of varied objects of pursuit, we are 
not, of course, supposing that academies of scientists can be founded 
everywhere; but we cannot resist the belief that in most counties and 
towns there will be found a sufficient number of men of education, of all 
■ professions, occupations, and opinions, disposed to unite for the mutual 
t pursuit of history, science, and the arts ; and that they will engage in 
'' it, not in a spirit of exclusiveuess, but of benevolence, aiming to develop 
^ a love for the most elevated and accurate forms of knowledge. It should 
{ be easy, in a multitude of places, for associations formed with these 
' blended purposes, to sustain twice a month, or even weekly, during a 
large part of the year, meetings for the purpose of listening to papers, 
original or compiled, from members or invited speakers, or for the dis- 
r cussion of any topic introduced. By some such method as this, local 
; societies Avould become schools of thought and learning for the active 
members of the community in hundreds of our towns and cities. There 
might naturally follow a union of the societies of a State under a gen- 
eral society for the publication of such papers as might be deemed 
suitable. 
I The extensive formation of such societies throughout the land, seems 
^ so full of promise and so potent for good, as to justify the establishment 
of a national society for the organization of associations for the pursuit 
of knowledge. Such a society might initiate efforts which would have 
the cordial support of co-workers in every State of the Union. The 
original name of our oldest learned society, the American Philosophi- 
cal, of which Franklin was the first president, was " The American 
; Society for Promoting and Propagating Useful Knowledge." The title 
is an indication of the expanded and benevolent designs of its founders. 
L This society had, also, its standing committee on history and commerce. 
I If the Smithsonian Institution, founded " for the increase and diffusion 
< of knowledge among men," should be able to incorporate, with its pres- 
'' ent benefactions to science, the support of an agency for encouraging 
such societies as have been described, it might be hoped it would not 
• be a departure from the spirit of its founder. It would be an agency, 
' by whatever association it should be controlled, for introducing and 



14 

promoting a plan for eulistiiig tens of thousands in the direct study of 
science, art, and history. Such societies would be the means of educat- 
ing many communities to a loving appreciation of scientific investiga- 
tions, and of correct views of human history. They would contribute 
incalculably to the i:>rogress of American society and to the happiness 
of millions. 

While we dwell with wonder and pleasure on the historic picture ot 
our national growth during a century, we need to remember that it does 
not become us to rest satisfied solely with recording its details. If we 
have received a goodlj" heritage from those who have preceded us, we 
must not only bequeath it unimpaired, but strive to add to its value for 
the advantage of those who come after us ; and so " hand on the torch 
of light," that the future may excel the past in brilliancy.^ 

' The Missouri Historical Society, of St. Louis, at its meeting on June 17, ISTo, 
adopted resolutions recommending that a national historical convention should be held 
during the Centennial anniversary of 1876, and that all the historical societies of the 
country sliould participate in it. If such a convention should be held, it would 
certainly be a favorable time to consider all plans which might be proposed to ren- 
der town and county historical societies more permanent and enduiiiig, and amoii;;; 
them the plan suggested in this paper might lind a place. 



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